Paul McGuinness backs Joe Rothwell and Ben Pearson loans

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Manchester United Academy coach Paul McGuinness is hoping Joe Rothwell and Ben Pearson impress during their loan spells away from Old Trafford.​

Rothwell has linked up with Championship side Blackpool while Pearson has made a big impression after joining League One side Barnsley, scoring his first senior goal in the win over Port Vale and extending his deal until 8 March, subject to Football League confirmation. The midfielders have grown up together at United, often playing in tandem, and are taking the next step of playing competitive senior football.

"For both of them, Joe and Ben, they are at the stage of their careers where they need the next challenge," McGuinness explained to MUTV. "All the time we're developing them, we're looking for an appropriate challenge - do you push them up an age group? Who do you play them with? Against men?

"They have both outgrown the Reserves really and can cope with that standard now but they need to be pushed and challenged at a different level. I think Blackpool are getting an absolutely top-class player in Joe - if you went around the Premier League, you wouldn't find many with better skills, passing, awareness, and playing on the run. He's a very sharp and creative player. I think he'd compare to some who are playing in top teams in terms of that kind of ability.

"But he's not in those teams - he's just going out on loan to get experience now and that is what he needs. That's the thing - to put him either into our first team or into another top team, he needs more experience and to prove he can do it at that level. I am certain he has got the ability and, to also go to a team that is struggling, will do him good. He has always been attack-orientated but needs to show he can do the defensive side of the game as well to convince managers he can do the full job in midfield."

Pearson, who has played down comparisons with Reds legend Paul Scholes in the official Barnsley matchday programme, is learning on the job at Oakwell.

"I like to think I'm a bit similar [to Scholes] but I'm not as strong," he stated. "I want to follow in his footsteps and playing in this sort of league will only help me do that. The physicality is miles different. There are a lot more second balls to be won and it's a little bit more direct. There's not as much respect given to your opponent in this league, rather than the Under-21s, so you have to get into space yourself and feed off other players."

The 2013 Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year has been encouraged to add goals to his performances by McGuinness so the solo strike against Vale will encourage the Under-18 boss.

"He can be a really good player," added McGuinness. "He has good ability and can win the ball. But he also needs to expand his game. I think he's got more in his locker and needs to go forward to score the odd goal and become a more all-round player."

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...3857400B-50AE-4D9C-AC12-0D7E963AB484&pageNo=1

 

[khoazany]

Always good to hear from McGuinness talking about our youth player's development.